Identification and Mapping of Dengue Epidemics using GIS- Based Multi-Criteria Decision Making. The Case of Delhi, India Seema SAHDEV *1 , Manish KUMAR 2 * Corresponding author 1 University of Delhi, Department of Geography, Kalindi College, Delhi, INDIA 2 Central University of Haryana, School of Basic Sciences, Department of Geography, Mahendergarh, Haryana, INDIA E-mail: seemasahdev@yahoo.com, manish.ks1@gmail.com DOI: 10.24193/JSSPSI.2020.6.07 https://doi.org/10.24193/JSSPSI.2020.6.07 K e y w o r d s: Geographic Information System, Pairwise Comparison Matrix, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Dengue epidemics, Health Care Management System A B S T R A C T 1. INTRODUCTION Epidemics prone area identification and mapping can be used to pinpoint the areas where outbreaks originate and effectively target high-risk areas for early prevention and control (Ali, et al., 2003). By using GIS to determine the spatial characteristics of a disease have made it possible to detect the clustering of cases and link clustering dynamics with geographical locations that carry certain risk factors favorable for the sources of infection (e.g., mosquito breeding sites) and for the spread of infection (e.g., vector exposure) (Lai et al. 2004; Cockings et al. 2004; Dunn et al. 2001). Recent studies have mapped risk areas over different defined time periods to describe the temporal dynamics of epidemics (Tran et al. 2004; Harrington et al. 2005; Morrison et al. 1998; Siqueira et al. 2004; Getis et al. 2003). However, few studies have integrated spatial and temporal factors to differentiate the risk patterns of an epidemic. Dengue infection has been known to be endemic in India for over two centuries as a benign and Centre for Research on Settlements and Urbanism Journal of Settlements and Spatial Planning J o u r n a l h o m e p a g e: http://jssp.reviste.ubbcluj.ro The identification and mapping ofdengue epidemics is one of the critical issues in providing better health services and policy development. In this process, multiple physiographic and socio-economic criteria have been taken into consideration. The proposed approach of this paper is to provide a framework for integrating the strengths of Geographic Information System (GIS) based Multi- Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) to reach the most appropriate spatial solutions for the decision-makers. In this paper, the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi was considered for mapping the potential sites for the development of dengue epidemics. For this purpose, various thematic layers were prepared using QGIS software. Five parameters (spatial analysis of Dengue Cases, land surface temperature, landfill sites, water logging, land use/land cover) were examined for mapping dengue epidemics vulnerable zones. The final dengue epidemics vulnerability assessment map reveals that the study area was divided into three different vulnerability regions namely high vulnerable regions - 326.24 sq.km (20.55%), moderate vulnerable regions - 674.25 sq.km (42.48%) and low vulnerable regions - 586.56 sq.km (36.95%). In this paper, the integrated approach of GIS based MCDM is showcased as a major contribution towards the development of effective health care management system (HCMS). This study also provides a new approach for decision- makers in order to decrease the spatial extent of this chronic disease and also reduce the human health hazard.